Professional Dancers’
Postgraduate Teaching Certificate

Valentia Dimitriou

• Graduate

  

  My name is Valentia Dimitriou and I am a dancer based in  Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

  Before starting the programme, I was a freelance artist working and performing as a contemporary dancer. In addition to my contract work, I have experience teaching within the private sector. My early training was through the RAD syllabus where I had a continuous appreciation for my ballet teachers, the work and where it has guided me. I’ve always known that this inspiration would hopefully take me to an RAD certification of my own.

  The PDPTC programme originally interested me for its flexible and realistic timeline to completion, as well as a travel opportunity and engagement in a different environment with other professional dancers, who were also looking to develop their teaching skills within higher education. I have learned throughout my studies that self-directed online learning can be a heavy task. One of the best parts of this programme is the people you meet at the Induction Seminar, who then become your peers and moral support. Having that connection with others has been of great importance, as you use each other to share information and provide support. Everyone in the RAD wishes for your success, and the positive environment online, and in person, has been motivating as a learner.

  This programme has also been useful in guiding me to become more aware of certain concepts that may or may not have always been present, but have allowed me to acknowledge and reflect from different perspectives. After graduation, I hope to pursue dance teaching long term, as I would like to further my career beyond dancing and performing. It is my hope that the education I received through the PDPTC will open professional doors, and enhance my knowledge of pedagogy to become a valuable teacher. To all of the prospective students who are considering applying to this programme or any other RAD programme, you will be challenged. Be prepared to think, review, read, and schedule your time accordingly. You will explore some intricate and complicated subjects, debates and conversations. If you are looking for that challenge as I was, it will also be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, with educators and faculty that are kind and supportive.

  The PDPTC has been a wonderful learning opportunity.

Bethan Smith

• Graduate

  

  On graduating from Elmhurst, I joined the Slovak National Ballet Company. In my final year with the company, I decided to develop my career and teach so commenced the PDPTC Programme. As the programme only took a year to complete and was aimed at professional dancers, it was the right choice for me. I could do the programme while still dancing with the company and then go straight into teaching.

  I wanted to teach the RAD syllabus as I had enjoyed the examinations at school and felt that it provided a professional and disciplined approach to teaching, areas I feel are important. The area I found most useful was the breakdown of syllabus work and practical assessments as for someone who had not taught before this was essential. The Intensive Study Period, based in Berlin, was also good for me as it allowed me to network and meet my fellow students and learn from their experiences.

  Having had a vocational education, I was worried about the academic areas of the programme as I had never done anything like it before. I learnt that I could focus on the academic side, complete the written elements and this gave me a great deal of satisfaction.

  After completing the programme I moved back to the UK to teach on a freelance basis. I had the opportunity to teach on associate programs, workshop programs, at dance Xchange and many others. I then moved to China to teach at a ballet academy for a year. In 2018, I started my own school and my aim is for the school to keep expanding and produce students who not only love to dance but also gain confidence and achieve in exams, competitions and performances. I definitely think the PDPTC programme enhanced my career as it gave me the confidence to believe in myself and what I could achieve.

  In 2019, just a year after starting my school, I entered my students from B Ballet Studios into their first RAD exams. It was a fantastic and confidence building experience for all. I even had one of my adult students travel up to London HQ to take her Intermediate. I didn’t face any specific challenges as the RAD team and fellow friends and teachers were so helpful in guiding me through the process. I have been so pleased and proud that the students all achieved Merits and Distinctions for my first set of exams.

  I would highly recommend the PDPTC programme to prospective students considering to apply. It works in conjunction with your professional experience as a dancer and so much fun joining together to discuss, listen to lectures and work together.

  Dance is in my bones and will be forever. It has given me so much joy, discipline, freedom, strength and confidence. I wish to give all students these feelings to take into their daily lives.

Cooper Rust

• Graduate

  

  I spent ten years dancing in professional ballet companies across the United States and in 2012, I travelled for the first time to Nairobi and fell in love with the country and the people. I spent multiple “off-seasons” teaching in the slums here, and then finally decided to stay and set up my own school in 2015.  I could see that while it was incredibly enriching for the children to take ballet in local communities, we would need proper dance floors, mirrors, and barres to be able to get any of them to a professional level and out of poverty.

  In Kenyan culture examinations are very important and when trying to introduce a foreign art form like ballet, I’ve found that being able to provide the dancers’ parents with a syllabus and examination system helps them get behind it. The PDPTC platform made the most sense with my teaching schedule and my overall goal.

  I found the time in Berlin to be the most useful.  Doing distance training is great, but often time as a working-student, you don’t set everything aside and just focus on one’s studies.  Being forced (in a good way), to stop teaching and come and focus on learning was excellent. I also really enjoyed the networking that went on throughout the programme with the other students.